MPEG Conversion Issues+ (Studio 6 and DVDA)

ewink wrote on 2/19/2006, 3:47 PM
I've done some searches but can't really find an answer so I apoligize if this has been discussed. Just a few questions:

First, I origionally tried converting an AVI file (XviD video codec/MP3 Audio) to MPEG-2 with TMPEnc Plus, however DVDa won't acknowledge it. Is that because I don't have the full $500 version or is there something else I am missing here?

Second, when I convert said file in Vegas Studio 6.0a using Make Movie > Burn It To DVD which gives me elementary streams (seperate audio and video) the audio becomes WAY out of sync. We're talking 5 - 7 seconds by the end of a 24 minute video. However both the audio and video files are showing the same length in DVDa, with the audio being a single frame shorter.

Having listened to it (after preparing a DVD and opening it with my computers DVD player) I hear many pops and glitches.

These are issues I didn't have with the files converted using TMPEnc, but again I can't use those with the DVDa program, I guess.

And finally, on the finished, prepared DVD, the video was VERY hot... The with levels were very bright making many scenes almost completely washed out. Oddly enough in the DVDa preview window everything looked fine.

I'm just looking for some possible solutions to these problems as I don't want to feel like I wasted $80+ on this program. Thanks.

Comments

jimmyz wrote on 2/19/2006, 5:59 PM
The basic workflow I use is
Make movie
Save to hard drive
mpeg 2
dvd architect video stream


then when thats done
make movie
save to hard drive
advanced render
Wave (Microsoft) (.wav)
48,000 16 bit stereo, PCM

There should be two files named the same in the same folder
when you bring the mpeg into dvd architect it will
grab the sound.
The best way I have found so far.

You also could render to avi and have dvd architect render sound and audio.
Since I have been using this software I have never seen an audio sync problem.
Hope this helps.

rustier wrote on 2/20/2006, 6:36 AM
the first question that comes to mind is "what is the original source of video?" I mean the original - original. to borrow an old addage - you cant make a silk purse out of a sows ear. Actually SVMS can do a pretty good job of fixing up bad video.

Another thing I have discoverd is that codecs are about a dime a dozen - and just because a codec says it will work - or may appear to work does not necessarily make it so. I had a video I recorded on my computer pvr in the pvr-ms format, used one of those "codecs" to reprocess it and ran into sync issues in SVMS. It took 3 different tries and a lot of work to iron out those problems (at least to the point where is was accceptable).

SVMS works best with "virign" video straight from the digital camera imported by firewire. There are some devices you can purchase to convert analog to digital like the ADVC 110 which processes the video and audio in such a way that there are no sync issues. The problem with sync is not the length (which appears equal in your case) but the way it is processed. Your video bite rates will vary depending on the amount of action and this can effect the way the audio comes out (with lesser codecs).

As far as how the video looks "hot" that is easily fixed in SVMS. There are several tools in there. Of course that means you will have to rerender it - sorry. If you want to use a video monitor I believe you will need a firewire connection (like the one mentioned above) to convert back to analog - which I am assuming will be your final"audience".

In my humble opinion and I don't know if this is correct, Sony has chosen a few "codecs" they have deemed reliable and most readily adaptable to the SVMS program. In their most recent release they have broadened that short list. I have gathered from the Gurus in this forum that you can run down to the "codec store", add it to your repertoire on your computer and vualla! SVMS can deal with more types of video files. But all you have to do is go to codec.com or some such place to realize the number of "codecs" is crazy ridiculous. So I would suggest you stick to the virign material or the short list of file types. As far as video converters - its a crap shoot if you stray outside the ones known to work well. Some work fine - others not so fine.

One final thought - I know this helped me - was to take my out of sync video clip and cut it up into several sections and transition them together. That and a little nudge here and there seemed to work for me.

ps - the software is great once you get the video in a format it was designed to work with. have fun with it
ewink wrote on 2/20/2006, 5:28 PM
Thanks for the thoughts guys. I'm going to try a few different things. I was mostly posting out of frustration as I understand Vegas MS is actually a really good program. It just doesn't want to do what >>I<< want it to do. :)